[Practical aspects of local steroid treatment]

Dermatocorticosteroids, the extent of whose effects show extraordinary differences, are principally applied in the case of skin inflammations and hyperproliferative skin diseases. Side effects, especially a dermally atrophizing effect, but also the provocation of rosacea, rosacea-like dermatitis and steroid acne, make it necessary to apply a treatment with as few side-effects as possible. Here in particular, therapy in steps and, to a lesser extent, interval therapy have proved themselves as being valuable. It is best to restrict oneself to a few dermatocorticosteroids, contained as far as possible in the same hypoallergenic base at varying concentrations. Thus the risk of sensitization and the different penetration levels depending on localization and dermatosis are taken into full account. A combined therapy with antibiotics is not indicated as a rule, and a combination with antimycotics should be restricted to a short period of time only.